Synthesis

Achieving Sustainability: Plan, Measure and Communicate

Lorna Young — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:05:00 GMT

In my last blog entry, I talked about the importance of developing sustainability goals and targets. You have now made some tough decisions about what you want to achieve sustainability-wise. But before you start working toward your goals, you need to develop a clear action plan. If you don’t have a plan, you likely won’t have focused or coordinated effort, which can lead to less-than-ideal results.

Process Safety – The Bedrock of Sustainability

Bob Masterson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:06:00 GMT

While the causes remain under investigation, the January 20th explosion at a Burns Lake, B.C. sawmill underscores the importance of process-safety as the foundation of sustainability for any high-hazard industry. The Burns Lake events have resulted in two employee deaths, severe injuries to nearly twenty more, and loss of employment for dozens of workers. And those are just the immediate effects. In the longer term, the company’s survival may be threatened, and individuals, families, and the Burns Lake community itself will be seriously challenged in dealing with the aftermath of these events.

While members of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada continue to strive towards sustainability through their commitment to Responsible Care®, their emphasis on sound process-safety management as the foundation for their broader sustainability ambitions remains paramount.

CIAC – Celebrating 50 years as the voice of Canada's chemistry industry

Richard Paton — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:41:00 GMT

As CIAC enters its 50th year, it’s fitting to reflect on the origins of our association and what we have achieved over the past five decades.

CIAC started in 1962 as the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association, with a small group of companies located in Quebec and Ontario. Like most business associations, CCPA’s exclusive purpose was to deal with economic issues. However, as the chemistry industry evolved over the next two decades, it faced a number of domestic and international safety incidents, (including the infamous Mississauga train derailment) which forced the association to rethink its “raison d’être”.

Investment: a New Year’s Resolution

Michael Bourque — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:07:00 GMT

In a speech to the Canadian Club last week, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney called on businesses to invest in Canada now – an action he sees as the most likely to prevent our country from slipping into another recession.

Interestingly, attracting new investment is the primary focus of Canadian manufacturers and exporters right now, and we believe that businesses and governments must work together in order to achieve this end.

Striving for sustainability: The importance of measurable targets

Lorna Young — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:37:00 GMT

So your company has thought about its sustainability profile and you’ve identified a strategy, goals and actions that make sense for your business. You have your corporate leaders’ support, and you’ve identified the people who will be responsible for championing and driving the initiatives. What now? Wonderful goals and lots of activity are great, but unless you have measurable targets in place, how can you demonstrate your company’s progress? Establishing measurable targets is a crucial step i ...